About The artist: Cuban-American illustrator and educator Tony Rodriguez brings a dynamic blend of flat color and bold lines to his depictions of pop culture icons, both past and present. His distinctive work has garnered acclaim from prestigious organizations including The Society of Illustrators New York, Communication Arts, NBC Universal, Creative Quarterly, 3x3, American Illustration, Latin American Ilustración, The Illustration Academy, Visual Arts Passage, Illustration Age, Applied Arts, Entertainment Tonight, The Society For News Design, Gallery1988, Gallery Nucleus, and the UK's World Illustration Awards.

U.S. & International clients include: Rolling Stone Magazine, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, GQ, Smithsonian Magazine, The Village Voice, Johns Hopkins Magazine, The New Republic, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, American Cowboy Magazine, Computer Arts Magazine, WIRED Magazine, Country Weekly, DAS Magazine, Blow Up Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Nurant Magazine, Ace Entertainment, Facebook TV, Videodrome, Humanities Magazine, Rhapsody Magazine, Misc Magazine, Peeps Magazine, The London Evening Standard, Common Good Magazine, BBC Focus Magazine, Milk X Magazine, Flaunt Magazine, Black Key Group, The Beach Boys, and Red Light Management. Rodriguez currently teaches Illustration at Middle Tennessee State University.

Born: 1987

Phone: 813-334-1585

Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Email: tonyrodriguezillustration@gmail.com

Notable Exhibitions

Salut no. 10 (Coaster) Show Gallery Nucleus, Portland, OR (June 8 - July 3, 2025) Group exhibition, Invited, International. Additional Documentation - 4 original pen and ink illustrations created directly on coasters represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery Nucleus - each sold as a 1/1 coaster. 

"I Want My MTV" Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (July 15, 2025 - August 15, 2025). Group exhibition, Invited, National. Additional Documentation - Two illustrations represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Back to 1985" Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (March 11, 2025 - May 11, 2025). Group exhibition, Invited, National. Additional Documentation - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Childhood Sweethearts" Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (January 31, 2025). - February 31, 2025. Group exhibition, Invited, National. Additional Documentation - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Illustrators 67 Part I," Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. (January 11, 2025 - February 11, 2025). Juried exhibition, Juried, International. https://societyillustrators.org/annual-exhibition/ - Four illustrations were selected from over 5,000 entries in this juried annual international exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of the year by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide providing a platform to the global community to express the events and movements of our times.

"Cover Your Eyes," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (October 11, 2024 - November 1, 2024). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/search?q=cover+your+eyes Additional Documentation - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Smorgasbord," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (June 8, 2024 - August, 2024). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/search?q=smorgasbord Additional Documentation - One illustrations represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"The Party," AI-AP, Angel Orensanz Foundation, New York, NY. (November 9, 2023). Juried exhibition, Juried. https://www.ai-ap.com/events/theparty/
Additional Documentation This international juried exhibition showcased the artwork from photographers, illustrators, art directors, designers, curators, and editors that were selected as winners for AI42, AP39, and IMAA11.

"Crazy 4 Cult 17," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (August 4, 2023 - August 26, 2023). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/cult17 Additional Documentation - Two illustrations represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Idiot Box 2023," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (June 2, 2023 - June 17, 2023). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/idiot23
Additional Documentation - Two illustrations represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Raised by Rainbows," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (March 10, 2023 - March 31, 2023). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/4eva - One illustration represented in an invitation-only curated physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 - each sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Illustrators 65 Part I," Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. (January 11, 2023 - February 11, 2023). Juried exhibition, Juried, International. https://societyillustrators.org/annual-exhibition/ - One illustration was selected from over 4,000 entries in this juried annual international exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of the year by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide providing a platform to the global community to express the events and movements of our times.

"The 90's," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (April 30, 2022 - May 8, 2022). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/nines - Three illustrations represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 sold as a limited run. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Illustrators 64 Part II," Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. (March 9, 2022 - May 7, 2022). Juried exhibition, Juried, International. https://societyillustrators.org/event/illu64part2/ - Two illustrations were among 519 winning entries from 3,270 entries in this juried annual international exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of the year by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide providing a platform to the global community to express the events and movements of our times. The winning entries will be both exhibited in New York and published in the Society of Illustrators Annual -- the leading directory of American and international illustration.

"Outside the Lines: Illustration in the 21st Century," Institute of Art & Design at New England College, Roger Williams Gallery, Manchester, NH. (February 11, 2022 - March 12, 2022). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://www.nec.edu/event/exhibiton-outside-the-lines/ Two illustrations being shown at a physical exhibition featuring professional/client illustration work from practicing illustrators from across the country.

"Twenty Years Later," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (December 4, 2021 - December 18, 2021). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/2001 - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 showcased as a limited run of 10 tangibles. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"25th Anniversary of Scream," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (October 15, 2021 - October 30, 2021). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/scream25 - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 showcased as a limited run of 10 tangibles. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"Idiot Box 2021," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (September 24, 2021 - October 9, 2021). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/idiotbox2021 - One illustration represented in an invitation-only physical and virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 showcased on an NES cartridge and sold as a limited run of 5 tangibles. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"30 Years Later," Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA. (January 8, 2021 - January 23, 2021). Group exhibition, Invited, National. https://nineteeneightyeight.com/collections/1991 - One illustration represented in an invitation-only virtual exhibition by Gallery 1988 as both a 1/1 giclee print and 10 high-quality custom magnets. Gallery 1988 is the first pop-culture focused art gallery in the world -- oftentimes with upwards of 2,500 people in attendance per night.

"LAI 8 - The Archive," Latin American Ilustracion Awards, Virtual Exhibition. (September 2019). Juried exhibition, Juried, Yes, International. https://www.ai-ap.com/archive/LAI/# One illustration represented in a virtual, permanent exhibition showcasing the "Selected" pieces from the international competition Latin American Ilustracion 8.

"AI 37 The Archive," American Illustration, Virtual Exhbition. (May 2018). Juried exhibition, Juried, Yes, International. https://www.ai-ap.com/archive/AI/# One illustration represented in a virtual, permanent exhibition showcasing the selected and chosen pieces from the international competition American Illustration 37.

"Roe Valley Arts: World Illustration Awards 2017 Touring Exhbition," Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre/Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady, United Kingdom. (March 2018 - April 2018). Juried exhibition, Competition, Yes, International. https://theaoi.com/2018/03/12/wia2017-tour-opens-at-roe-valley/ Winning illustration from the World Illustration Awards was on display at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre featuring 50 shortlisted projects selected from over 2,300 entries from 64 countries.

"Illustrators 60 Part II," Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustrators at Society of Illustrators, New York City, NY. (January 31, 2018 - February 24, 2018). Juried exhibition, Juried, Yes, International. https://www.societyillustrators.org/programs/annual-exhibition This is a juried annual exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of the year by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide providing a platform to the global community to express the events and movements of our times.

"And Now for Something Completely Different," Colour + Noun, Northern Monk Brewery, Leeds, United Kingdom. (May 27, 2015 - May 29, 2015). Group exhibition, Invited, No, International. https://blurppy.wordpress.com/2016/05/22/colour-noun-celebrates-the-brilliance-of-monty-python-with- something-completely-different/ One illustration showcased at the invitation-only exhibition paying artistic tribute to Monty Python - officially licensed by Universal and Bravado.  

Notable Awards

Selected Winner - American Illustration 44, American Illustration. (April 2025). One illustration was among 388 images selected as a winner from over 7,500 international entries for the American Illustration AI44 juried competition.

"Illustrators 67 Part I," Society of Illustrators, Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, New York, NY. (January 2025). Juried exhibition, Juried, International. Four illustrations were selected from over 5,000 entries in this juried annual international exhibition featuring the most outstanding works of the year by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide providing a platform to the global community to express the events and movements of our times.

Distinguished Early Career Creative Activity Award (Pre-tenure), MTSU -- MT-IGO Committee. (May 8, 2023). Nominated and selected as the recipient for this university-wide award which recognizes research achievement defined as "original scholarly activity, which generates new knowledge, product, or application."

Best in Show Winning Illustration - Communication Arts 63rd Illustration Competition, Communication Arts. (February 2022). One illustration was among 147 winning entries from 3,689 international entries for Communication Arts 2022 Illustration Competition -- making this juried Illustration Annual the most exclusive major illustration competition in the world. This winning illustration was among 5 pieces selected out of the 3,689 international entries to be categorized as "Best in Show".

Selected Winner - American Illustration 40, American Illustration. (April 2021). One illustration was among 426 images selected as a winner from over 7,000 international entries for the American Illustration AI40 juried competition.

Winner - Creative Quarterly 60, Creative Quarterly. (June 2020). One illustration was awarded Winner in the Professional Illustration category for Creative Quarterly 60 which is an international juried competition focusing on promoting the best work in illustration (among other disciplines) for more than 15 years.

Selected Winner- Latin American Ilustracion 8, Latin American Fotografia and Ilustracion. (August 2019). One illustration was among the 39 "Selected" winning pieces from hundreds of submissions by the Latin American Ilustracion competition - which is one of the leading international juried annuals honoring the best work created from/for/and about Latin America.

Winner - World Illustration Awards, Association of Illustrators. (May 2017). One illustration was a winner for the Editorial Illustration category. Only 18 winners were chosen from over 2,300 entries submitted from 64 countries by judges working inthe global illustration industry at the forefront of their specialist sectors. The World Illustration Awards is the most prestigious internationally juried annual competition open to illustrators since 1975.

Two Winning Illustrations - Communication Arts 58th Illustration Competition, Communication Arts. (February 2017). Two illustrations were among 178 winning entries from 3,995 international entries for Communication Arts 2017 Illustration Competition. Communication Arts is a professional competition that continues to showcase the current best in illustration (among other disciplines) for over 50 years.